Tag test preparation

The photograph shows students in an SAT test prep class at HCLS Miller Branch taking the practice test in three meeting rooms.

Studying to Succeed

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The photograph shows students in an SAT test prep class at HCLS Miller Branch taking the practice test in three meeting rooms.

by Cherise T.

Do you ever wonder where all those navigation tabs at hclibrary.org go? One of the answers is homework help! Adult, teen, or child: you have access to library resources to bolster your learning needs. FREE experienced help is available online via Brainfuse with online tutors in many subjects, daily from 2 – 11:55 pm.

  • math through calculus II
  • science through college introductory biology, chemistry, and physics
  • language arts
  • social studies

You can also access test prep for the SAT and ACT. The platform includes Spanish Foreign Language Lab, GED practice tests, and a Writing Lab. Brainfuse tutors also review resumes, cover letters, and academic papers. Students can submit homework questions for tutor guidance and followup. Brainfuse even provides flashcards in hundreds of subjects and allows you to create new sets.

Under the Research tab, you can find the Test Prep, Practice Exams, and Career Research section with Peterson’s Test & Career Prep and LearningExpress Library. Both include practice tests, study modules, and e-books to boost student skills and confidence from grade school through career advancement. Topical practice tests are available for:

  • high school and college entrance exams
  • graduate, nursing, medical, dental, and law schools
  • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
  • Praxis

For students who require additional professional support in the classroom, an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) and IEP (Individualized Education Program) may be recommended. Two books, Nolo’s IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities and The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child, offer direction in successfully arranging educational services. They include definitions, sample forms, and guidelines for resolving disputes. Each child and each school district is unique, so understanding your student’s rights facilitates academic success.

On Wednesday, Jan 17 at 11 am, HCPSS Early Intervention Services offers a Zoom class to educate parents on the IFSP and IEP. Register here.

Cherise Tasker is an Adult Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch. When not immersed in literary fiction, Cherise can be found singing along to musical theater soundtracks.

A skewed stack of AP test preparation books for calculus, art history, US History, French, and statistics.

College Readiness Book Drive

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A stack of AP and SAT books with spines showing their subjects.

By Chloe M.

Every high school in Howard County offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in English, science, mathematics, social studies, computer science, world language, art, and research. Students who score well on an AP examination at the end of the course may be granted AP status or college credit upon entering a college or university. Unfortunately, as of 2018, a gap of 35 percent was recorded between the largest Howard County AP test-taking student group, Asian students, and the smallest AP test-taking student group, Black students. Additionally, in January 2021, the Howard County Board of Education released numbers showing that by student group, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx students and students receiving Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARM) continue to have lower percentages of AP exams with passing scores of a 3 or higher than their peers.

So what can we do to help? As part of the Library’s commitment to advancing racial equity in our community, we invite you to donate new or gently used AP and SAT test prep books. We look to ensure all youth feel confident in their ability to pursue college-level studies successfully – which can lead to higher-paying jobs and reduce financial stress later in life.

The HCLS College Readiness Book Drive takes place at all library branches through August 15. Collection boxes are located inside each building to collect new or gently used college readiness (SAT and AP) practice books. These books will then be redistributed in the fall along with a YOU BELONG resource page to encourage a new narrative for those who have been discouraged from pursuing college-level courses.

While AP courses are offered in the Howard County educational system without cost, the tests cost approximately 96 dollars per exam last year, and test guides were prices at $30 each (depending on the subject). Financial logistics can be a major deterrent for students from low-income backgrounds hoping to access practice materials that lead to higher-scoring exams.

The Howard County Board of Education wrote in their meeting agenda that 11,157 exams were taken by local high school students in 2020. Many of these students purchase books each year to review, and as soon as the school year ends, they throw away or abandon the lightly-used test prep books. I personally have five on my shelf, with two being brand-new and unused. Consider donating AP and SAT books that students in your life no longer need!

I believe that, with your help of timely donations, this initiative can have a long-lasting affect on our community both in reducing waste and supporting students on their journey to post-secondary education.

Chloe McGeehan is a recent River Hill High School graduate. Through the DukeEngage Gateway summer program, she is working to facilitate collaborations that generate behavioral health resources for residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds. She enjoys trail running, spending time with family and friends, painting, and making music.